Dueling rail proposals for LA/Ontario Airport

The San Bernardino Associated Governments has awarded a $600,000 contract to HDR Engineering to evaluate rail service to Los Angeles Ontario International Airport, located east of LA in Ontario, Calif.

The SanBAG contract is seen as a political move at least in part, since the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) seeks to evaluate an extension of the Gold Line light rail transit (LRT) service from Montclair, Calif., to the airport, despite recent moves by Los Angeles County counterparts to defer such an option.

"We are reaching the saturation point on the highways in the near future, and it's important in our role of government that we are looking ahead," SanBAG Executive Director Raymond Wolfe told local media in explaining the awarding of the contract.

LRT isn't the only rail link to the airport being considered. Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl earlier this year introduced a motion to consider options for serving Ontario airport with Metrolink regional rail service.